Previous

GayLawNews™by subject

Index

Nov 2009 to Date

CANADA, Federal: On 19 March 2019, it was reported that the Canadian Armed Forces had issued new directives giving guidelines on medical and surgical supports for transgender troops, uniform and naming protocols, and accommodations for bathrooms, showers and other private areas, ordering commanding officers to end discrimination, foster respect and inclusion.

UNITED STATES, Federal: On 19 March 2019, US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued a three-page notice saying an injunction that she issued against the policy in 2017 remains in place. A three-judge panel of the District of Columbia US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia set aside the injunction on 04 January however, the Court ordered the Clerk of the Court ''to withhold issuance of the mandate herein until seven days after resolution of any timely petition for rehearing or petition for rehearing en banc'' and extended the time for filing any petition for rehearing or petition for rehearing en banc be extended to 21 days after the issuance of the court’s forthcoming separate opinions (filed 08 March). Accordingly, Plaintiffs have until 29 March 2019 to file for rehearing or rehearing en banc and the injunction remains in place.Notice: Jane Doe 2 et al., v. Donald J Trump, et al. No. 17-cv-1597 (CKK) 83.73kb 19 MAR 19

CANADA, Federal: On 16 March 2019, it was reported that the federal government's new parental sharing program goes into effect Sunday. The program is available to opposite-sex, same-sex and adoptive parents whose children were born or placed for adoption after March 17. The only stipulation is that couples must agree to share their Employment Insurance parental benefits.

ITALY, Pordenone: On 15 March 2019, it was reported that a Pordenone court awarded a regular 'divorce cheque' to ''the weaker'' one of two women whose relationship began in 2013 and who got a civil union two years ago under Italy's new law. The better-off woman will pay 350 euros a month to to the worse-off one.

UNITED STATES, Massachusetts: On 13 March 2019, the House was reported to have approved 147-8 legislation (H140) that would ban so-called gay conversion therapy for minors. The Bill now heads to the Senate.

GERMANY: On 13 March 2019, it was reported that Justice Ministry issued a directive effective Wednesday under which people who were put under investigation or taken into investigative custody, but not convicted, can claim compensation payments of 500 euros per investigation opened, and 1,500 euros for each year of time in pre-trial custody started.

NETHERLANDS: On 12 March 2019, it was reported that the Senate voted in favour of amending current anti-discrimination laws to outlaw gender identity discrimination alongside sex, religion, political beliefs, race, nationality, sexual orientation and marital status. The lower house of parliament voted in favour of the measure in July 2018.

UNITED STATES, Federal: On 12 March 2019, David L Norquist, performing the duties of deputy secretary of defense, issued a memorandum that spells out the timeline, procedures and potential exemptions for implementing the plan ordered by Trump and created by former Defense Secretary James Mattis, with ewffect from 12 April. The memo asserts the policy is not a ban because it allows transgender people to enlist, provided they have no diagnosis of gender dysphoria and are willing to serve in their biological sex.Memorandum: Military Service by Transgender Persons and Persons with Gender Dysphoria 3.11MB 12 MAR 19

SINGAPORE: On 11 March 2019, High Court Justice Chua Lee Ming dismissed the appeal of Ler Teck Siang, a doctor at the heart of the data leak of 14,200 HIV-positive people in Singapore (report). Ler Teck Siang had appealed against his conviction and two-year jail sentence for abetting his partner Mikhy Farrera Brochez to cheat the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) about Brochez's HIV-positive status, and for giving false information to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the police.

UNITED STATES, Federal: On 08 March 2019, in the wake of the latest federal court ruling allowing the implementation of the Trump administration's ban on transgender troops, the Pentagon reportedly says currently serving transgender troops can stay while the legal battles continue.

SOUTH AFRICA: On 06 March 2019, the full bench of the North Gauteng High Court, lead by Judge Joseph Raulinga, reportedly set aside the Dutch Reformed Church's decision not to recognise gay marriages. The practical effect of the order is that the Dutch Reformed Church will be able to conduct same-sex marriages once they have obtained a licence from Home Affairs in this regard. The judgment also enables gay or lesbian members who are in a same-sex relationship to become ministers of the church. Judgment: Guam and Others v. Van Rensburg NO and Others [2019] ZAGPPHC 52 575.65kb 08 MAR 19

UNITED STATES, Utah: On 06 March 2019, the State legislature passed Senate Bill 43 (41-32 vote in the House). The Bill in part decriminalizes fornication outside of marriage and now goes to the Governor.

UNITED STATES, Ohio: On 04 March 2019, Court of Appeals Judge M Powell reversed a Warren County Judge Joseph Kirby's decision in the case of a transgender teen who wanted to change his name finding he abused his discretion when he denied the request, saying the original decision discounts the parents' wishes and medical evidence.Opinion: In re H.C.W. No. CA2018-07-069 80.12kb 04 MAR 19

UNITED STATES, Colorado: On 05 March 2019, the Colorado Civil Rights Commission reportedly dropped its latest case against Christian cakeshop owner Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado. Phillips agreed in exchange to drop his lawsuit against the state, which he filed last year after the commission took action against him for declining to make a blue-and-pink cake to celebrate a transgender transition.

UNITED STATES, California: On 04 January 2019, Judge Thomas L. Willhite in the 2nd Appellate District Court of Appeal held that when a student accused of sexual misconduct (alleged nonconsensual sex with another USC student) is facing severe disciplinary sanctions, like expulsion or suspension ­ and the credibility of witnesses is central ­ a fair process must include a live hearing where parties may cross-examine each other. Opinion: John Doe v. Kegan Allee, et al No. B283486 260.91 kb 04 JAN 19

UNITED STATES, Idaho: On 04 March 2019, US District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ruled that Idaho Department of Correction officials cannot delay gender confirmation surgery for transgender inmate Adree Edmo while they appeal the court ruling requiring them to provide the surgery by 13 June.

UNITED KINGDOM, England and Wales: On 01 March 2019, Britain's first transgender hate crime prosecution was reportedly halted by District Judge John Woollard in the Basildon Magistrates' Court in Essex. Judge Woollard dismissed the case declaring 'There is no case and never was a case'. Miranda Yardley, 51, was accused of harassing transgender activist Helen Islan.

REPUBLIC OF KOREA: On 27 February 2019, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea reportedly claimed it did not 'deny' the rights of a same-sex couple to marry however it rejected a petition filed by a British and South Korean gay couple who got married overseas and asked for their marriage to be recognized.